News and press releases
News and press releases from the OSCE's global activities.
Weekly Update from the OSCE Observer Mission at Russian Checkpoints Gukovo and Donetsk based on information as of 31 March 2020
Publishing date: 31 March 2020
The Observer Mission (OM) continues to operate 24/7 at both Border Crossing Points (BCPs). The overall number of border crossings by persons decreased at both BCPs compared to the previous week.
Press Statement by the Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group
Publishing date: 31 March 2020
MOSCOW / PARIS / WASHINGTON, D.C., 31 March 2020- The OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs (Igor Popov of the Russian Federation, Stéphane Visconti of France, and Andrew Schofer of the United States of America) have taken note of the so-called “general elections” in Nagorno-Karabakh, the first round of which took place on 31 March.
Statement of the Co-Chairs of the Geneva International Discussions
Publishing date: 31 March 2020
TIRANA / BRUSSELS / GENEVA, 31 March 2020- As we mark the date when the 51st round of the Geneva International Discussions (GID) was supposed to take place (31 March- 1 April 2020), we, the Co-Chairs of the GID (UN Representative Cihan Sultanoglu, Special Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office for the South Caucasus Rudolf Michalka and EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus and the Crisis in Georgia Toivo Klaar), remain fully engaged to help address the challenges created by the coronavirus pandemic.
Deadline for nominations for Max van der Stoel Award 2020 extended
Publishing date: 30 March 2020
THE HAGUE, 30 March 2020 – The deadline for receiving nominations for the Max van der Stoel Award 2020 has been extended to 30 April 2020. The award of 50,000 euros recognizes extraordinary and outstanding achievements in improving the position of national minorities in the OSCE participating States...
Briefed by Lombardy Region President, OSCE PA leadership discusses steps forward during coronavirus crisis
Publishing date: 27 March 2020
COPENHAGEN, 27 March 2020 – In a series of virtual meetings this week with leaders and staff of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, members discussed the way forward in the context of the COVID-19 global pandemic. The OSCE parliamentarians were briefed by the President of the hard-hit Lombardy Region of Italy, who appealed for assistance.
Press Statement of Special Representative Grau after the regular Meeting of Trilateral Contact Group on 26 March 2020
Publishing date: 27 March 2020
KYIV, 27 March 2020 – The Special Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office in Ukraine and in the Trilateral Contact Group, Ambassador Heidi Grau, made the following statement to the press after the meeting of the TCG and its working groups:...
A message to the OSCE Community: We need solidarity and co-operation, OSCE core values, to work together to stop the pandemic
Publishing date: 26 March 2020
VIENNA/TIRANA, 26 March 2020- Chair of the OSCE Permanent Council Igli Hasani, OSCE Secretary General Thomas Greminger, Director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights Ingibjörg Sólrún Gísladóttir, OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Harlem Désir and OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Lamberto Zannier today sent the following letter to the OSCE Community: